Selenium and Sulforaphane: what the research found
PubMed indexes 8 records that name Selenium and Sulforaphane together, either in the title or in an interaction, co-administration, or pharmacokinetic context. The key findings come first, in the authors’ own words, followed by every study with its design and PubMed link.
A summary of published research, not medical advice. A pharmacist can check any combination against your full list of medicines and supplements.
Reviews and human studies first. Each quote is the authors’ own conclusion about their study, not a NutriStack assessment, and a single study is not a consensus.
“Although the SFN-SeP adduct can be taken up by HepG2 cells and degraded by the lysosome, it was less effective in inducing GPx expression. Our findings indicate that SFN disrupts the selenium supply pathway through the formation of the SeP-SFN adduct.”
“In contrast, in noncancerous cells, selenium induced numerous genes involved in apoptotic, angiogenic, or tumor proliferation pathways, whereas the influence of sulforaphane was very limited. These findings contribute to defining the significance of cell type in interpreting human cellular transcriptome-level responses to exposures to natural components of the diet.”
“However, blocking ERK and JNK signalling pathways decreased sulforaphane-induced TrxR-1 mRNA by about 20%; whereas blocking p38 and PI3K/AKT increased TrxR-1 transcription. In summary, a combination of sulforaphane and selenium resulted in a synergistic upregulation of TrxR-1 that contributed to the enhanced protection against free radical-mediated oxidative damage in human hepatocytes.”
The research
8 studies naming Selenium and Sulforaphane.
Strongest relevance first: papers naming both substances in the title, then human trials and systematic reviews.
Journal of agricultural and food chemistry · 2011 · PMID 21732669
Randomized Controlled Trial
“Glucoraphanin and glucobrassicin metabolites quantified in plasma and urine were SFN-glutathione, SFN-cysteine, SFN-cysteinylglycine, SFN-acetylcysteine, and indole-3-carboxaldehyde, indole-3-carboxylic acid, and ascorbigen, respectively. Dietary intake of selenium-fertilized broccoli increased serum selenium concentration analyzed by means of atomic absorption spectroscopy by up to 25% (p < 0.001), but affected neither glucosinolate concentrations in broccoli nor their…”
Names both Selenium and Sulforaphane in its title.
The Journal of nutritional biochemistry · 2025 · PMID 39419192
Human subjects
“Although the SFN-SeP adduct can be taken up by HepG2 cells and degraded by the lysosome, it was less effective in inducing GPx expression. Our findings indicate that SFN disrupts the selenium supply pathway through the formation of the SeP-SFN adduct.”
Names both Selenium and Sulforaphane in its title.
“Thus, the myrosinase activity induced by Se treatment is the dominant factor affecting sulforaphane yield from glucoraphanin hydrolyzation. Selenium-sulfur biofortification provides a technical support for the cultivation of broccoli with high sulforaphane and high anti-cancer selenium compounds.”
Names both Selenium and Sulforaphane in its title.
Chemical research in toxicology · 2014 · PMID 24383545
Human subjects
“In contrast, in noncancerous cells, selenium induced numerous genes involved in apoptotic, angiogenic, or tumor proliferation pathways, whereas the influence of sulforaphane was very limited. These findings contribute to defining the significance of cell type in interpreting human cellular transcriptome-level responses to exposures to natural components of the diet.”
Names both Selenium and Sulforaphane in its title.
“However, blocking ERK and JNK signalling pathways decreased sulforaphane-induced TrxR-1 mRNA by about 20%; whereas blocking p38 and PI3K/AKT increased TrxR-1 transcription. In summary, a combination of sulforaphane and selenium resulted in a synergistic upregulation of TrxR-1 that contributed to the enhanced protection against free radical-mediated oxidative damage in human hepatocytes.”
Names both Selenium and Sulforaphane in its title.
“It is concluded that GPx2, although supporting tumor growth, inhibits inflammation-mediated tumorigenesis, but the protective effect of selenium does not strictly depend on GPx2 expression. Similarly, SFN requires selenium but not GPx2 for being protective.”
Names both Selenium and Sulforaphane in its title.
Limitations
What this evidence cannot tell you.
Search-based evidence indexes have real limits, and it is worth being explicit about them:
Selection. These records were found by searching PubMed titles and abstracts for both substance names alongside interaction and pharmacokinetic terms. Relevant work that phrases things differently, or is not indexed in PubMed, will be missing.
No effect size. The quoted conclusions are the authors’ words about their own study. We have not extracted effect direction or magnitude, and a single study’s conclusion is not a consensus.
Population mismatch. Findings in healthy volunteers, animals, or a specific patient group may not transfer to you, your dose, or your formulation.
Absence is not safety. Few published studies means the combination is under-studied, which is not the same as established as safe.
How to read this page
A literature summary, not guidance.
A study listed here is not proof that Selenium and Sulforaphane interact. Two substances can be named together in a paper that never tested them in combination, and a source listed as background may cover only one of them.
Findings are quoted from each abstract as the authors wrote them. NutriStack has not re-analysed, pooled, or reconciled them, and they may disagree with each other.
Decisions about prescription medication and supplements belong with your prescriber or pharmacist, who can see your full regimen. Our timing guide and forms guide explain the general mechanisms.
Nearby evidence
Other pairs with published research.
Pages covering Selenium or Sulforaphane alongside a different substance.
NutriStack is a free iPhone app for organising a supplement routine: what you take, when, and what the published record says about it. Its exploratory interaction checker covers Selenium, Sulforaphane, and several hundred other substances.
Log your routine, get reminders at the times you choose, and scan a label to add a product. The checker is a research and organisation tool, not a clinical decision aid.
NutriStack is an informational and organizational tool, not a medical service, and not a substitute for professional advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before starting, stopping, or changing any supplement or medication.
